Columns

Tories start to fear Cameron is a loser

So Muggins replaces Buggins and Tadpole makes way for Taper. “It is the one
time of year when people think the cabinet actually matters,” says a Tory
cynic. Reshuffle stories abound of MPs leaving the prime minister’s office
in tears and Dave driven to drink by having to sack women.

No 10 denies the lot — wine was taken at a reception only to soothe the
passage of the soon-to-be departed — although an insider concedes that the
eyes of one lucky minister were moist with gratitude after promotion. That’s
more information than we need.

The PM’s game of musical chairs — as guided by George Osborne — was meant to
signal that “we mean business” and “now is the time for delivery”, lines
straight out of Tony Blair’s second-term songbook. It was also supposed to
be a party-pleaser but Tory loyalists and critics alike increasingly fear
that David Cameron is a loser. Our